Phytotoxic Effects of Acetic Acid and d-limonene on Four Aquatic Plants

Herbicides that are labeled for aquatic use often the foundation of vegetation management programs in United States because many these products, which registered by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, effective, selective, and relatively inexpensive. Resource managers interested reducing synthetic herbicides considering alternative methods weed control. We evaluated effects acetic acid d-limonene on growth invasive small floating species feathered mosquitofern ( Azolla pinnata ) common salvinia Salvinia minima ), as well native emergent wetland plants cattail Typha latifolia gulf coast spikerush Eleocharis cellulosa ). Acetic (alone combination) were applied once foliar treatments to healthy plants, grown 8 weeks after treatment allow development phytotoxicity symptoms. All experiments also included diquat dibromide at three concentrations “industry-standard” comparison. A 0.22% concentration eliminated all species. Most single-product provided good control with acceptable levels damage spikerush, but only 15% 20% effective selective cattail. Some combinations both weeds selectivity mixes caused unacceptable Treating instead would increase material costs 15- 27-fold. Although natural products may be useful some areas where discouraged, they unlikely affordable options most resource managers.